Telangana tops in higher education

Seats or colleges, T ahead of Andhra, Seema: Govt report

Uncertainty will continue to prevail in education sector after the proposed division of the state since Hyderabad holds the key in all respects. The Council for Higher Education (APSCHE) in an official report through the Higher Education Ministry - to the state Assembly showed that Telangana region is well ahead of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions in terms of institutions and seats - both in government and private sectors.

The government data reveals there has been an increase in number of institutions and seats- mostly in technical and other professional one in private sector in the last few years. After 2008, more colleges have sprouted in and around Hyderabad and the reports of Government-appointed Task Force have revealed that fee reimbursement scheme was one of the reasons for more intake and establishment of new colleges.

There are 25 varsities in the state out of which 10 in Telangana, seven in Andhra and eight in Rayalaseema. Out of the ten varsities in Telangana, six are general varsities, three state-wide (BRAOU, Telugu varsity and JNAFAU) and one Region JNTUH.

Admissions in state-wide universities has been done on 42:36:22 ratio (Telangana: Andhra: Rayalaseema) where as in Region universities- i.e. in JNTUs of Hyderabad, Kakinada and Anathapur is being done on 85: 15 ratio of local and non-local basis. Same criterion applies to General universities as well.

Hyderabad, is in a way the educational hub, according to a top official of the APSCHE. ‘Universities and institutions like University of Hyderabad, JNTU, BITS, IIT, IIIT, NALSAR, ISB, Osmania University and Medical College, CBIT, Vasavi, Srinidhi, Gokaraju Rangaraju, CVSR, Narayanamma, Gandhi Medical College etc have attained enough popularity among student community and they are the preferred choices. Barring a few, many institutions in other regions of the state do not have this kind of preference’, he explained.

“Hyderabad would continue to attract the cream of students in all spheres as it is the most sought after destination for pursuit of higher education. Its significance cannot be overtaken by any means. Arguably, it has the best colleges, skilled faculty and excellent academic environment,” the official told The Hans India.

Perhaps this is the reason why most of the government employees belonging to Seemandhra region do not want to relocate themselves immediately in the event of division of the state. “If I’m shifted from here, I will leave my family here and go to the area of my work. In any case, it would be done only after the new capital is developed, which may take four to five years at least,” P Murali Mohan working in Secretariat said.

“I heard new reports saying that the Union Government may announce an educational package worth Rs 8,000 crore in the coming months. An IIT, IIM, IIIT, several other institutions also planned. Good to hear it. But it is doubtful whether the funds it promises would actually materialise since we have enough experience that it is hard to see the fulfillment of promises. If we propose some 100 crores, they would sanction only 50 crore and release around 35 crore” a former official said.